A remarkable example of suspected Batesian mimicry of Gaboon Vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae: Bitis gabonica) by Congolese Giant Toads (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Sclerophrys channingi)

Batesian mimicry is a phenomenon in nature whereby a non-toxic animal emulates a noxious one, seeking to deter predators by deception. This type of mimicry occurs in many animals, with numerous documented examples of invertebrates, harmless squamates, and even birds that mimic venomous snakes. However, no observations of anurans mimicking venomous snakes have been reported. Based on comparative data from colour pattern, morphology, geographic distribution and behaviour, we propose that the Congolese Giant Toad (Sclerophrys channingi), endemic to Democratic Republic of Congo, is a Batesian mimic of the geographically widespread Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica). Although the colour pattern similarity between these taxa is not an exact match, aposematism and precise imitation are not required for Batesian mimicry to be effective, especially when the model (B. gabonica) is dangerously venomous and carefully avoided by other vertebrates. Given the morphological similarity between S. channingi and two other African toad species (S. brauni and S. superciliaris) that are sympatric with B. gabonica and its sister taxon (B. rhinoceros), similar examples of Batesian mimicry are likely.贝茨拟态（Batesian mimicry）是自然界的一类经典现象，指无毒动物通过拟态具有防御毒性的物种，以欺骗策略威慑捕食者。该类拟态广泛存在于诸多动物类群中，目前已有大量文献记录了无脊椎动物、无害有鳞类乃至鸟类拟态毒蛇的案例。然而，迄今尚未有关于无尾目动物（anurans）拟态毒蛇的观测报道。基于体色模式、形态特征、地理分布与行为模式的比较研究数据，我们提出：刚果民主共和国特有物种刚果巨蟾（Sclerophrys channingi）是地理分布广泛的加蓬蝰蛇（Bitis gabonica）的贝茨拟态类群。尽管二者的体色模式并非完全匹配，但贝茨拟态的有效性并不依赖严格的警戒色（aposematism）与精准模仿——尤其是当模型物种（加蓬蝰蛇B. gabonica）具有极强毒性、且被其他脊椎动物主动规避时。鉴于刚果巨蟾与另外两种非洲蟾蜍物种（S. brauni与S. superciliaris）形态相似，且这两种蟾蜍均与加蓬蝰蛇及其姊妹类群犀角咝蝰（Bitis rhinoceros）同域分布，因此极有可能存在其他类似的贝茨拟态案例。